New Zealand – B&I Lions

New Zealand British & Irish Lions betting preview 24 June

New Zealand will host the British & Irish Lions at Eden Park, in the first match of a 3 game series. The encounter will take place Saturday morning (European time), at 07:35 GMT.

This is the biggest test match between the Southern and Northern Hemispheres, as the Lions tour the South once ever 4 years in the space between World Cups. The tours are played in South Africa, Australia or New Zeland – now, after 12 years, it`s time for New Zealand again.

New Zealand opened their summer campaign with a magnificent 78-0 win over Samoa last week. The Samoans were actually not so bad in that game, but the All Blacks proved they did not lose a step after their ground breaking performances last year, and played some breathtaking fast paced rugby to score try after try against a decent team.

The British and Irish Lions are composed of the best players from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, so they put together a scary good roster this year. However, lack of chemistry is hurting them, and the Lions were not exactly impressive in their tests prior to this New Zealand clash. The Lions lost to the weakest club team in New Zealand (Blues) and to the Highlanders, while winning their other 4 matches without being very impressive.

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Team news & lineups:

Both teams are at full strength and will field their best available lineups, although the NZ coach decided to leave Savea and Perenara on the bench as impact subs.

New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody

British and Irish Lions: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Ben Te’o, 11 Elliot Daly, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Sean O’Brien, 6 Peter O’Mahony (c), 5 George Kruis, 4 Alun Wyn Jones, 3 Tadgh Furlong, 2 Jamie George, 1 Mako Vunipola

New Zealand was simply marvelous last year, with the current team making a case for itself as the best side to ever play rugby. The All Blacks beat the record for consecutive wins and routinely destroyed opponents like Australia or South Africa, before finally losing a game againt Ireland (in Chicago) in November – but at that time New Zealand was tired after a long season.

This time it`s the British&Irish Lions who might be tired. Their players are coming after long, grueling seasons and had no vacation – jumping right into this tour with the Lions, where they also had to play a fair number of games. New Zealand rugby on the other hand is in the middle of the season, with the players at the maximum of their physical abilities.

The Lions were not impressive so far on this tour but they did show progress as it went on. Their best performances came in the last two matches, when they defeated the Maori All Blacks by 22 points and the Chiefs by 28 points, proving that the chemistry in the squad is getting better. Still, the team didn`t look that great overall and that is not a good sign at all ahead of the match against the All Blacks in Auckland.

Despite the all star talent in the team, the playing relations are not the best for the Lions with players from 4 different nations, and that has often been their downfall in these Southern Hemisphere tests. The last time they toured New Zealand, in 2005, they lost all three matches by 18+ points.

A New Zealand team playing at home in the middle of their domestic season, with the players in rhythm and not tired, is an almost impossible task to overcome. This current team is virtually flawless and capable of tearing apart any opponent, on any day. The British&Irish Lions must be perfect to even stand a chance, but they are not looking that way at the moment.

I doubt the Lions, with the holes they have in their game, can put on a realistic challenge in this match. The playing relations are still suffering and the players are on the back of a long, tiring season. Look for New Zealand to impose its speed and power, making a lot of line breaks and breaking the Lions tactical setup with their quick offloads and change of directions, en route to a number of spectacular tries.

My tip is New Zealand to cover the 10,5 handicap, I reckon this point spread is well within their reach in this first game against the Lions, so I`m comfortable investing reasonably high stakes on the bet. Prediction: New Zealand – British&Irish Lions 33 – 16.

Pick: New Zealand -10,5
Odds: 1.95 @ Unibet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 7.60
Event date: 24 June

About Rostick

Born in '88. Running betting tips websites since 2007. Launched Betdistrict in 2013. Worked as a bookie for a year to spy on the other side. Rugby Union and NBA expert. Editor info & statistics.

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